Bloodshot Eyes: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

When the blood vessels in your eyes rupture, they give the white of your eye a pinkish or reddish color. This condition is called bloodshot eyes, and it is common in children and adults alike. In this article, we will look at some of the symptoms and causes of bloodshot eyes and how it is treated.

Symptoms of Bloodshot Eyes

Some of the symptoms that people with bloodshot eyes undergo include:

l Sensitivity to light

l Blurred vision or having difficulty in seeing

l Discharge of water from the eye

l Discharge of other substances from the eye

l Pain in the eye or the area surrounding the eye

l Dryness of the eye

l Itchiness in the eye

l Burning sensation

l Irritation in the eye

Causes of Bloodshot Eyes 

There are a number of factors that can cause bloodshot eyes. Some of them are:

l Too much consumption of alcohol

l Too much reading in dim or poor light

l Not allowing your eyes to take enough rest

l Spending too much time reading a book or looking at a screen

l Not getting adequate sleep

l Scratching of the eyeball

l Poking of the eyeball

Some other causes of bloodshot eyes include:

Allergies

Watery and itchy eyes and sneezing, etc., are common in people who have allergies. These things can cause bloodshot eyes by frequently irritating them. Most of the allergens, such as mold, smoke, perfume, debris, and pollen, can also cause bloodshot eyes by aggravating the eyes.

Dryness

Eyes need to maintain their moisture, and they do it by extracting moisture out of the air and getting it from the body. When they are deprived of it, they lack the lubricant that helps maintain their clear vision, and they tend to tear up. This makes the membranes and blood vessels in the eye stretch, and they might tear apart.

Infections

When the membrane that protects the surface of the eye or eyelash follicles get inflamed, it can cause infections in the eye. The symptoms of bloodshot eyes caused by infection include fluid excretion as the eye produces it to protect from foreign substances. A single bloodshot eye is more likely to have been caused by infection than an allergy. Infections that can be causes of bloodshot eyes include pink eye or conjunctivitis and blepharitis.

Treatment of Bloodshot Eyes

The most common forms of treatment of bloodshot eyes include:

l Eye drops

l Oral medications (common for bloodshot eyes caused by allergy)

l Eye creams

l Antibiotics

It is important to follow general eye health and eye care best practices to prevent bloodshot eyes from affecting your vision. Some extreme cases of bloodshot eyes can even cause blindness if they are not treated in time. It is important to consult a doctor or an ophthalmologist as soon as you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms of bloodshot eyes. It is also best to keep away from the causes of bloodshot eyes by protecting your eyes from different kinds of allergens, dust, and smoke, etc.